A new survey conducted by the Environmental Services & Solutions Expo (ESS) has unveiled that over 90 percent of UK professionals believe greenwashing is still on the rise across industries. The National Environmental Services Survey 2024 surveyed almost 1500 professionals across the environmental services industry and highlighted the pressing need for sustainability education.Â
About the survey and its findings
Last year’s edition of the survey reported that approximately 25 percent of respondents felt a strong desire to prevent greenwashing, yet a year later, over 40 percent of respondents feel greenwashing is prevalent.Â
The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science published in its sixth annual climate litigation trends report that in 2023, 47 new climate and greenwashing cases were filed against governments and corporations.Â
Out of the 140 cases reviewed between 2016 and 2023, 77 reached official decisions, with 54 judged in favour of the claimant. Despite these findings of cases of climate litigation against corporates growing, over half of the respondents in the 2024 ESS survey do not believe organisations are carrying out frequent assessments of suppliers and sustainability audits.Â
Additionally, 66 percent of the respondents feel their organisations lack strict environmental criteria for suppliers. The survey also found that just 3 percent of respondents work in organisations that are currently net zero.Â
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Concerns expressed over carbon offsetting
Another area of concern that was highlighted in the ESS survey surrounded the credibility and transparency of carbon offsetting schemes. Nearly 80 percent of professionals across the environmental services sector responded that they held this concern. Although 11 percent of respondents strongly agreed that carbon offsetting is a viable strategy for meeting net zero emissions, 13 percent strongly disagreed.
The topic of carbon offsetting has always been a controversial one in the business sustainability space. However, efforts are being made to try and enhance the quality and transparency of carbon credits available for purchase. In saying that, as much as 60 percent of businesses still view the carbon credits market are too risky to invest in.Â
Other findings from the surveyÂ
The survey also highlighted that 58 percent of respondents feel there is or will be a green skills gap. Some of the green skills reported to be in most shortage or demand span waste management and circular economy, carbon management, climate change adaptation and resilience building, sustainability and environmental management, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, and sustainable construction.Â
At the Institute of Sustainability Studies, we offer a range of short certificate courses that include various different topics, from decarbonisation to circular economy, biodiversity, sustainable supply chain, ESG reporting, and much more. Designed for busy working professionals, each of the courses is fully online and self-paced and can be completed within 3 to 5 hours. Moreover, the practical skills learned in our certificate courses can be applied immediately to real-world situations.Â
Conclusion
The findings from the 2024 ESS survey paint a clear and urgent picture: while awareness of greenwashing is on the rise, so too is the prevalence of this harmful practice across industries. As businesses navigate the complex landscape of sustainability, it is imperative that they move beyond superficial claims and take genuine, measurable actions towards environmental responsibility.
Businesses must prioritise upskilling, particularly in green marketing and communication. Effective green marketing is not just about promoting sustainable practices; it’s about being transparent, credible, and committed to the values that underpin sustainability. By equipping themselves with the right skills and knowledge through a green marketing course, organisations can build trust with their customers, meet increasingly stringent environmental criteria, and avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing.Â
